NSCDC Mining Marshals arrests 671 illegal miners, secures convictions in nationwide crackdown

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, says its Mining Marshals have arrested 671 suspected illegal miners nationwide, with 397 already arraigned before the Federal High Court and several convictions secured as part of the Federal Government’s intensified campaign against illegal mining.

The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant of Corps, ACC, Attah John-Onoja, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while representing the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, at a stakeholders’ workshop on extractive industries governance organised by the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering.

Mr Onoja said the Mining Marshals, established by the Federal Government in 2024, had dismantled several illegal mining sites across the country, shut down illicit operations, confiscated mining equipment and restored a number of mining locations to their legitimate licence holders.

He attributed the successes to the professionalism of the Mining Marshals, effective inter-agency collaboration and sustained support from the Federal Government.

According to him, the enforcement campaign has strengthened compliance with mining regulations and contributed to increased revenue generation in the solid minerals sector.

Quoting figures from the Solid Minerals Development Fund, SMDF, Mr Onoja said revenue from the mining sector rose by 337 per cent between 2023 and June 2026, increasing from about N6 billion in 2023 to more than N70 billion.

He said the improved performance reflected the impact of the Federal Government’s reforms aimed at sanitising the sector, attracting investment and boosting revenue.

The Mining Marshals commander commended the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, for driving reforms in the mining sector, describing his appointment as a turning point for the industry.

He also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for providing operational backing during enforcement activities.

Mr Onoja reserved special commendation for the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, saying his strategic leadership and institutional support had strengthened the Mining Marshals into an effective force against illegal mining.

Speaking at the workshop, the President of the Nigeria Union of Mines Workers, Hamza Muhammad, urged the Federal Government to enforce local processing of minerals before export, arguing that value addition would create jobs, promote industrialisation and increase the country’s earnings from its mineral resources.

Also, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, represented by Fatima Usman-Katsina, reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development through a joint technical working group to improve traceability, accountability and coordination in the mining value chain.

Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the workshop was convened to generate practical solutions to illegal mining, insecurity and illicit financial flows.

He reiterated the commitment of the House to strengthening the legal and regulatory framework governing the mining sector to improve governance and attract responsible investment.

In his remarks, Chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee on Mineral Exploitation, Security and Anti-Money Laundering, Hon. Sanni Abdulraheem, called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, regulators, mining operators and host communities to curb illegal mining.

Despite the gains recorded, Onoja identified inadequate logistics, insufficient manpower, shortage of operational equipment, judicial delays, interference from vested interests and poor community cooperation as major challenges confronting the Mining Marshals.

He called for dedicated funding, deployment of surveillance technology, the establishment of a national mining intelligence situation room and the designation of special Federal High Court judges to accelerate the prosecution of illegal mining cases.

According to him, addressing the challenges would strengthen enforcement, boost investor confidence and safeguard Nigeria’s mineral resources.

He reaffirmed the NSCDC’s commitment to protecting the nation’s extractive assets in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying a secure mining sector would enhance government revenue, create jobs and deny criminal groups access to proceeds from illegal mining.